Kerala

Customs & Manners

The Malayalees have a distinctiveness in appearance marked by fairness of complexion, regularity of features and clean habits. The outlook on life has changed considerably and new ideas resulting from liberal education have permeated the society. Of the customs peculiar to Kerala, the most important ones are the Marumakkathayam and the joint family system.

Rituals

Observance of caste system, with all its rigour and formalities, was another peculiarity of Kerala. The observance of untouchability vanished consequent to the movements of social reforms, especially the one initiated by Sree Narayana Guru. The Temple Entry Proclamation of the Raja of Travancore effective by put a end to the system of untouchability in South Kerala.

Today, Kerala is the only State in India where untouchability as well as repression of Harijans are unheard of. Moreover, the progressive Governments in Kerala have been adopting several measures for the uplift of the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward communities.

Ammankudam

is a ritual dance of devotees carrying holy pots on the head as offering to the goddess. Usually performed in Bhagavathy temples.

Arattu (holy bath)is ritual connected with the closing of a festival. The idols of deities are carried in a procession to the river for the holy bath. The purified idols are then escorted back to the temple accompanied by a grand elephant pageant, panchavadyam, nadaswaram and chendamelam.

Chandanakudam : Ritual offering of coins in earthen pots in Muslim shrines. The pots are smeared with sandal paste, the mouth covered with while cloth, with a garland around the neck and three incense sticks fixed into the cloth covering.

Chuttuvilakku (literally, chuttu - surround; vilakku - lamp), the thousands of oil lamps fixed on the outer walls of the temple.

Ezhunnallathu is the ceremonial procession of the idols of a temple. The procession usually comprises various cultural art forms, traditional temple music and elephant pageants.

Kodiyettam is the ceremonious flag hoisting ceremony denoting the beginning of the festival or festive season in a temple, church or mosque

Pallivetta (the holy hunt) is symbolic of Lord Vishnu hunting down the demon of evil in a forest. The procession is usually very colorful and attracts devotees in large crowds.

Paraveppu : A ritual performed in many Hindu homes a part of a festival. The Para (wooden/brass measure) full of paddy is arranged in front of the house along with the lighted lamp and other offerings like fruit, jaggery and so on. The offering is collected by a procession of elephants carrying the thidampu (idol of the deity of the temple).

Pongala : This ritual offering to Goddess Bhagavathy, is a preparation of rice, jaggery, coconut and plantains cooked together, in the temple premises.

Seeveli: A ceremonial procession which denotes the conclusion of the morning and evening pooja (devotional rites) in certain temples.

Thalappoli is a ceremonial procession, around the temple, of girls or women in traditional attire holding the thalam in their hands. The thalam (usually a silver or brass plate) contains rice, flowers and lighted lamp - all of which symbolise prosperity.

Velichappadu/komaram (literally, revealer of light) : The oracle is usually dressed in red and carries a sword and shield. Possessed by the spirit of the deity the oracle dances in a frenzy at the festivals in Bhagavathy temples.

Marumakkathayam

Of the customs peculiar to Kerala, the most important ones are the Marumakkathayam and the joint family system. Marumakkathayam is the matrilineal system of inheritance. During the past ten decades, there had been an urge for a thorough change in the old family customs. Legislative sanctions were given to claim partition from the joint families and adopt Makkathayam (inheritance through the male line). Due advantage has been taken of these legislation by the majority of the communities.